[NIKKO Co., Ltd.] Bringing 3DCG Art to Life in Fine Bone China: Launching 'KENDAMA,' a New Art Piece Fusing Traditional Japanese Culture

Ceramics manufacturer NIKKO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hakusan, Ishikawa; President: Akiko Mitani; hereinafter "NIKKO") has launched 'KENDAMA,' an art piece based on 3DCG artwork by artist Ryota Mishima, realized in the company's signature 'NIKKO FINE BONE CHINA.' The product is available at the direct-managed store 'NIKKO SHOWROOM・STORE / LOST AND FOUND TOKYO STORE' (Shibuya, Tokyo). This work is an art piece modeled after the traditional Japanese toy 'kendama,' but it also functions as a 'Bekuhai'—a type of sake cup used in traditional drinking games from Kochi Prefecture. Due to the extremely high level of manufacturing skill and time required, the initial production is limited to only 10 pieces per design (3 types in total, 190,000 yen each, tax included). ・Bringing digital art to the real world: Mishima's 3DCG work is realized in bone china, a material notoriously difficult to shape. ・Fusion with traditional 'Bekuhai' culture: The large, medium, and small cups of the kendama serve as sake vessels, allowing you to enjoy sake during actual drinking parties. ・Rare production through exceptional craftsmanship: Requiring over five times the standard manufacturing steps and precise hand-painting by artisans, the initial run is limited to 10 pieces per design. ■ Artist's Philosophy and Background of the Project Artist Ryota Mishima creates 3DCG works that transform familiar everyday items into the texture of 'fragile ceramics,' presenting visual tension and the beauty of transience in common objects. This project was born from Mishima's desire to recreate his screen-based art as physical, tangible ceramics, combined with NIKKO's advanced molding and painting technologies. The development aimed to evolve digital art into a 'tactile experience.' Beyond the weight and smooth texture unique to ceramics, it fuses the 'playful' element of the kendama with the practicality of NIKKO's tableware. Furthermore, Mishima chose this material because he resonated with the story of 'BONEARTH,' a fertilizer derived from crushed NIKKO FINE BONE CHINA, which contributes to a circular economy.